By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday said fishing sector could earn huge foreign exchange for the country and stressed effective policing for its promotion. Chairing a meeting on fishing policy of Pakistan, the President emphasized on adopting fishing practices as per international standards to open up new markets for Pakistani exporters.
The President asked Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take necessary measures to discourage illegal fishing and take onboard all stakeholders. He said promotion of fishing sector could generate employment opportunities and help alleviate poverty in the country.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Secretary Maritime Affairs Rizwan Ahmed and senior officials of the ministry. Minister for Maritime Affairs briefed the President about the challenges and problems being faced by the fishing sector.
Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi while rejecting a representation of State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLICP) has directed it to compensate the widow of late PTC teacher within thirty days by paying due profit on the deposited amount since 2006. The president expressed concern over the state of affairs of the petitioner insurance company which initiated unnecessary litigation and delayed payment of profit amount to the widow of a PTC teacher in Multan.
The State Life Insurance Corporation Pakistan (SLICP) had made a representation to the president against rejection of a review petition moved before the Wafaqi Mohtasib. The group insurance claim was submitted by Mst. Sakina Begum to the State Life seeking payment of profit on her late husband’s deposit. The State Life had issued a cheque worth Rs 25,000 despite the facts that in other identical cases, an amount of Rs140,000 was paid as Group Insurance.
The president rejected the representations with an observation; “it is very unfortunate that a widow is running around since the death of her husband in 2006 to claim a petty sum of an additional Rs 115,000.”
“It is actually shameful to see such incidents happen in Pakistan,” he pointed. The president directed the petitioner company to hold an inquiry into the matter and report to the Wafaqi Mohtasib in 3 months to identify the reasons and the individuals responsible.
He said that individuals or policies responsible for such delay must be identified. He also regretted that the instant case cost the petitioner company time and money as well as testing and wasting time and cost of the institutions like Wafaqi Mohtasib and Presidency.
